Ask the Expert: insects in my houseplants

Hello,
I've noticed an insect infestation in all of my houseplants (I think it started in one by a window, and has spread). The insects are small, dark, and fly. Their head is much smaller than their thorax, and they look tiny and thin. They are a bit smaller than fruit flies, almost like a flea, and though I see them flying when the plant is moved or blown on, they also crawl and run. I see them mostly on the soil surface. I can't discern symptoms with the plants (they don't maybe seem as healthy as before, but there are no holes in the leaves or anything).

Could you tell me:
1. what these are?
2. how to get rid of them?
3. how to prevent them in the future?

I tried taking a photo (I caught one in a bug jar), but it's really too small to focus on.

Thanks!

fungus gnat

white fly

Thrips

Spidermite

Ask the Expert: What kind of succulent plant could this be?

I found these beautiful Aloe-like succulent plants in a friend's garden and took some of it home.  I've planted them in Pots and they've grown tremendously.  In Diameter the one on the photo is about 20cm and it prefers shady areas with a little morning sun.  Could you please tell me what their name is? All my friends love them and I gave them the little babies growing from the stem below. They grow easily with little care and water.

Regards
Elzet

Brock and Loranne Atwill owners of Flower Shop Network recently attended the SMX Advanced Expo in Seattle, Washington, hosted by Danny Sullivan, an expert in the SEO field.

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Ask the Expert: The tips of my lucky bamboo plant leaves have turned brownish and dry.  I only put distilled water in the pot, mist the leaves, fertilize with the green drops occasionally, and keep the plant on my dining room table under the light fixture, away from direct sunlight. What could cause the brown, dry tips?  Should I cut them off?  Please advise. Thanks very much.

Ask The Expert: MY OFFICE HAS HAD A PEACE LILLY PLANT FOR QUITE SOME TIME..MY BOSS HAS NURTURED AND CARED FOR THIS PLANT FOR LONGER THAN I HAVE WORKED HERE. HE FEEDS IT COFFEE AND OVERNIGHT SODA EVERYONCE IN A WHILE…WELL I THOUGHT IT TIME TO REPOT THE PLANT..AND OF COURSE IN MY VISION OF WANTING MORE GLORIOUS PEACE LILLIES..I NOW HAVE WILTING SAD PISSED OFF LILLIES..IT HAS BEEN ABOUT MONTH SINCE I TOOK THE ONCE THRIVING PLANT AND SEPARATED IT TO REPOT IN NEW MIRACLEGRO SOIL..ONE I KNOW THEY\'RE ALL PROBABLY IN SHOCK..BUT WHAT CAN I DO??BESIDE NEVER TOUCH THEM WITH MY OWN TWO HANDS EVER AGAIN?! PLEASE HELP!  Marie

Ask the Expert: Bamboo

Is it best to keep bamboo well rooted/rootbound or is it better to periodically remove heavily rooted areas? Janet

Ask the Expert: Any way to save sunburned plants

I have two ferns and a philodendron plant that my mother was caring for while I traveled, but she left them in the sun one afternoon and I came home to sunburned plants.  Large areas of the leaves are dark brown on all 3 plants and though they still seem to be living, they look terrible.  Is there anything I can do other than continue to care for them as usual?  Thanks for your help! J

Ask the Expert: Kitchen Garden Window

What would be a good plant(s) to put in a garden window that faces East?  Janet

Ask the Expert: can you identify this flower?

Hi –
We live in southern Wisconsin, and built a home four years ago on what once was a pasture for cattle and hogs.
This flower has been here since we moved in — the leaves looked like iris leaves, but the plant never boomed –so I planted other things around it and started to care for the plant.

Now it's just about to bloom, but I don't know what it is!

Any clues? Wendy

Pictures added by Wendy

Ask the Expert: Lillies and Gardenias

Jamie:

I have a gardenia tree (about 6 weeks old) that appears healthy but there was only one flower that bloomed. The buds keep on apprearing/growing but nothing opens up? I also recently purchased potted LA Hybrid Lillies and planted immediately in the ground. After a day or so the flowers wilt and then fall off gradually leaf by leaf. The whole flower just lasts a couple of days. What am I doing wrong?

I am new to gardening and would appreciate any advice. I am on the east coast so it is spring/summer here.

Attached are some pictures which could help with your diagnosis

Melissa

Added photos